2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Review

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Dodge Ram Video Review

KBB Editors' Overview

By KBB.com Editors
- Updated Date: 12/9/2009

Even though full-size
pickup truck sales have dipped in the recent past, they still represent a substantial part of the automotive market. Fresh from a successful redesign last year, Dodge is hoping its Ram pickup can continue to cut into the sales of the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado and help return Chrysler to profitability. To accomplish this goal, Dodge has given the Ram a crew-cab body style, a coil-spring rear suspension, a refined interior, unique storage options and more available power with an upgraded HEMI V8. The result is a smooth, quiet pickup that is easily a match for anything in its class.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like your
trucks big and bold on the outside, but soft and luxurious on the inside, the 2010 Dodge Ram is right for you. The Ram retains its familiar "big-rig" styling, but looks even better thanks to a forward-canted grille and more chrome accents.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If fuel economy is a major concern, you won't like the Dodge Ram – or any other full-size truck, for that matter. For years, Americans have been treating pickups like cars, using them for everyday transportation, but today's higher gas prices have buyers wanting more fuel economy and putting pickups back in the hauling and work-duty categories.

What's New for 2010

The big news for 2010 is an increase in the Ram's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) from 14,000 pounds to 15,500 when combined with the 5.7-liter engine and 3.92 rear axle. Fuel-saving advances include a fuel saver warning light on 3.7-liter models and a deceleration fuel cut off mechanism on all engines. New available features include an iPod integration package, an integrated trailer brake controller as well as folding and power operated trailer tow mirrors.

Driving ItDriving Impressions

When it comes to ride comfort, the 2010 Dodge Ram has an advantage over its competitors thanks to its coil-spring rear suspension. Leaf-spring suspensions tend to ride more harshly and can lead to bounding motions over bumps, but the Ram's coil springs calm those motions and smooth out the ride. Otherwise, the Ram drives like the big truck that it is, the steering is reasonably direct and the brakes are easy to modulate and control, but don't expect this big truck to handle, steer or stop like a sports
sedan.

Favorite Features

RamBox
The RamBox storage system is offered on the Crew Cab. It includes 3.7 cubic feet of lockable, drainable storage space in each bed rail, as well as a cargo-bed divider that doubles as a bed extender. RamBox also comes with a bed-rail system with sliding, adjustable cleats to tie down and secure various types of loads.

Uconnect GPS
The Uconnect GPS system's 30-gigabyte hard drive holds song and picture files, as well as navigation map information. Songs can be ripped from a CD or downloaded from a thumb drive via a USB port. The hard drive lets you keep your whole music collection in the vehicle without toting a lot of CDs.

Vehicle DetailsInterior

While the dash is mostly hard plastic, the armrests and the tops of the doors are nicely padded. Fit and finish is generally good, though a few rough areas could be better. On the road the Ram is quiet for a truck and there is plenty of front-seat room, but a telescoping steering wheel would enhance driver comfort. Rear passengers can be pinched in the Quad Cab, but the Crew Cab has lots of rear-seat room. Laramie models are upscale, with a leather-covered dash, wood trim and plenty of amenities. Available hard-drive radio, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel and rear DVD entertainment with SIRIUS Backseat TV can make the Ram cabin a pleasant place to be for long trips.

Exterior

The 2010 Dodge Ram is a refined version of the previous-generation Rams. The Dodge cross-hair grille remains, but is tilted forward, similar to that of the
Dodge Charger. Also helping to change the look are tightened panel gaps, which help reduce aerodynamic drag. A true Crew Cab replaces the short-lived Mega Cab. The Regular Cab is offered with 6-foot, 4-inch or 8-foot beds, the Quad Cab has the 6-foot, 4-inch bed and the Crew Cab has a 5-foot, 7-inch bed.

Optional features include the RamBox storage system, full-time four-wheel drive, sunroof, 10-speaker Alpine Surround Sound, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, navigation system, rear DVD entertainment with SIRIUS Backseat TV, heated and cooled seats and a heated steering wheel. The navigation system is easy to operate and voice commands can be used to program destinations while the vehicle is in motion. SIRIUS Backseat TV has three child-friendly channels that will keep the kids' attention on long vacation drives. Available trims include Sport, R/T and the Big Horn and Lone Star regional packages.

Under the Hood

The base 3.7-liter V6 is fine if you use your truck as basic transportation, but the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is the best choice if you plan to tow or haul a lot of cargo. The HEMI was updated for 2009, giving it more power and torque. The HEMI also delivers fuel economy comparable to that of the 4.7-liter V8, and it can tow a heavier load. Dodge claims the Ram 1500 Sport Regular Cab with the HEMI and the optional R/T package is the fastest pickup in the class, with a zero-to-60-mph acceleration time under 6.0 seconds.

The two-wheel drive Ram ST Regular Cab starts at just over $21,500 and ranges up to about $30,000 for a Quad Cab with 4WD. The SLT model starts at around $26,000 for the Regular Cab and goes up to roughly $35,000 with a Crew Cab and 4WD. TRX models, which are available only as a Quad Cab or Crew Cab (and can be listed as packages, rather than trims), range from around $34,000 to $37,000, while the Sport model costs between $33,500 and $39,500, depending upon body style. The top-line 2WD Laramie Quad Cab starts at about $38,000 and tops out around $44,000 for a 4WD Crew Cab. Add options, and the Laramie can approach $50,000. To see what smart buyers are really paying for the Ram, be sure to check the Fair Purchase Price before going to the dealership. Overall, the Ram starts at a higher price than its domestic competitors and ranges higher than all vehicles in its class. We expect the Ram to retain below-average residual values.